May 20, 2009

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California Democrat Judy Chu, vice-chairwoman of the state’s Board of Equalization, is one step closer to Congress after winning the Democratic nomination in a special election primary to succeed former Rep. Hilda Solis.

With 220 of 222 precincts reporting, Chu comfortably outdistanced Democratic state senator Gil Cedillo by over 4,000 votes, 32 to 23 percent. Emanuel Pleitez, a political newcomer, finished a strong third with 14 percent.

Chu’s margin of victory was impressive, given that Hispanics make up about half of the electorate in the San Gabriel Valley-based district. She campaigned on her experience representing the community, and ability to win support from both Hispanic and Asian-American voters.

Chu earned significant institutional backing from the Hispanic community, winning endorsements from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the two Latino assemblymen who hold seats within the congressional district boundaries.

Chu will face Republican Betty Chu in a July 14 special election runoff, but is expected to easily prevail in the heavily-Democratic district.

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If I would be a GOP I would not even bother to run in California. Conservatives should just move out and settle in Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Alaska and some other conservatives states. Without these hard-working, tax-paying conservatives California would collaps faster than Biafra (for all you Obama voters that's a separatist region in Nigeria). I for one would laugh my ass seeing California drowning in chaos, crime, debt...

From Solis to Chu...hmm...maybe all that Mexifornia/Reconquista jazz would last even shorter than the 27 years that Mexico had California the first time. China wants dibs (they do have all the bonds/debt on it)!!

Frederik, they seem to be drowning in debt, crime and chaos already. What will get the American taxpayers up in arms is if congress allows them to be bailed out! TERM LIMITS NOW. Vote them all out of office.

We need election reform. It's makes no sense that this eleciton is only for a 2 months and they have to vote again.
Just rewrite the law that special elections are retro-active so whomever wins will be up for reelection at regular election day. It wastes so much tax payer money to have multiple elections within a state for only a few people.

The 32nd district has been Latino for about 27 years. It extends from Unincorporated areas of East L.A. to El Monte which are two of the Latinos strongholds and in which the area Latino voters outnumber Asians. Well, I don't know. They eliminated the strongest candidate(Cedillo) and left the weakest candidate(Chu) to beat. I am very concern that without a Latino candidate Judy Chu may (not) win the runoff.

Emanuel Pleitez pulled off some impressive numbers this special election. Hopefully, the next time he runs for public office the public at large will learn of his true dedication to the communities of the San Gabriel Valley, and elect him for it. Progressive Politics from here on end. Peace

In response to petercharles. The point I was trying to make was that with NO Latino in the race. The Democratic candidate may NOT win, and in consequence a Republican or a Libertarian MAY win. Unless, Ms. Judy Chu campaigns in heavily Latino communities and not just campaigning in Monterey Park or Rosemead areas as such where overwhelmingly Asian, she (Judy Chu) will NOT be able to win. Giving the chance for (Betty) Chu a Republican or a Libertarian to win. That is what I was referring about.

No Latino Will EVER vote for an Asian to represent the Latino community. Asians have always been suspicious of Latinos and caricature them as inferior. I am from the San Gabriel Valley and I know and I have seen it. Latinos would rather take the ball and go home than support someone who have not been culturally to the Latino community.

In reply to who wrote this;
"No Latino Will EVER vote for an Asian to represent the Latino community. Asians have always been suspicious of Latinos and caricature them as inferior. I am from the San Gabriel Valley and I know and I have seen it. Latinos would rather take the ball and go home than support someone who have not been culturally to the Latino community."
Did you not bother reading the article, its going to be an Asian vs an Asian in the next election, either way Latinos are going to vote for an Asian. Next time read before you open your mouth.

Wow, there's some serious stupid below in the comments on whether Latinos will vote for Asians. You know, they were saying the same thing about Latinos not voting for Obama, and oh look, Obama won an overwhelming majority of the Latino vote.
And if anyone understands this district, they should realize that Chu had to have significant numbers of Latinos vote for her on Tuesday for her to even win the primary in the first place.
And urbanleftbehind really shows his stupidity when he said the Board of Equalization should be eliminated, without even knowing what it is. They're the ones who collect state taxes that provide the revenue for the state government. Well, unless he's one of those teabaggers who don't believe in paying any taxes at all.

In response to "Hahaha". The point that I was making was a good one. And YES, I READ the article BEFORE I "opened" my mouth. The San Gabriel Valley has been a Latino bastion for the last 27 years. There has been controversy that Pleites (another candidate) who came in third in the primary was in "agreement" with (Judy) Chu to split the Latino vote so the strongest candidate (Cedillo) would lose. Most Latinos in the Valley do NOT know Judy Chu. I am AWARE that there is ANOTHER Asian candidate running. However, two of the Latino strongholds (El Monte, and East L.A.) are LUKEWARM with Asian candidates. Latinos DO NOT know Judy Chu NOR do they know Betty Chu. Dealing with that is that Asian candidates often do not come to Latino areas and often DO campaign in Asian areas of the district. Most often Latinos who LIVE in Asian areas of the district are often discriminated against. For those who DO NOT live in district 32, do not understand or do not know. Latinos often are discriminated against or mistreated. I have seen it and felt it. Especially the area of San Gabriel/Alhambra where the high concentration of Asian live and Latinos are the minority. Asians often discriminate Latinos. Now, for those of you who DO NOT live there, you do not know what is going on. And if you do not know nor live in the SGV, I would suggest to you to Shut the hell up!!